PigSti
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Common Subaru Keypad Immobiliser Issues
Do you own a Subaru with a Brant Alarm or one with a factory fitted key pad immobiliser? Chances are you do as this was a common part fitted by Subaru Australia to all Foresters from 2002 to 2007 (with free retro fit to 1999-2001) and all STis from 1999 to 2007.
As these alarms are now in some cases becoming quite old, the parts are either wearing out or require servicing. Common faults are:
What I found annoying..
Generally the Forester battery will go dead after the car is unused for more than 2 weeks and it's the Brant alarm that drains you battery dead! Nothing you can do about it but connect up a 240v powered 12v battery saver to your electrical system (eg cig lighter) while the car sit for those weeks..
Had this happen to mine and when I went to start the car, DEAD!!! So I pulled the battery and charged it over night. All ok until I refitted it and the keypad would not accept my PIN code. Valet mode let me start the car for 9 goes but after that, Kaput!
This worked to get things going but if this is happening to you then the backup batteries in the keypad..
..that store you PIN are going and need to be replaced at Subaru because they will need the master codes after those tiny batts have been changed as everything is reset to zero!
There is still a work around for it by using the 0 & # keypad button, 2 person disconnect battery trick.
Resetting - The Keypad
This procedure is to be used when the user PIN code will not be accepted by the unit. This procedure requires two people to perform the reset.
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1. Disconnect the battery negative terminal for 5 to 6 minutes
2. Hold down 0 and # at the same time on the keypad and while holding the buttons down...
...the second person should then re-connect the battery negative lead and tighten the terminal bolt.
3. Release the 0 and # on the keypad.
4. Enter 0 four times on the keypad (ie, 0000).
--------------------------------
The keypad should now be reset and should accept the user PIN code.
Test by turning the ignition on in the normal manner and when all digits are illuminated enter your PIN code. The keypad should disarm and you should be able to start the engine.
--------------------------------
Do you own a Subaru with a Brant Alarm or one with a factory fitted key pad immobiliser? Chances are you do as this was a common part fitted by Subaru Australia to all Foresters from 2002 to 2007 (with free retro fit to 1999-2001) and all STis from 1999 to 2007.
As these alarms are now in some cases becoming quite old, the parts are either wearing out or require servicing. Common faults are:
- Intermittent no starting
- Car shuts down for no apparent reason
- The number key pad no longer chirps
- The key pad works with any or no input!
- Keypad randomly will not accept your code
- The car will start even though you have the alarm fitted and enabled!
What I found annoying..
Generally the Forester battery will go dead after the car is unused for more than 2 weeks and it's the Brant alarm that drains you battery dead! Nothing you can do about it but connect up a 240v powered 12v battery saver to your electrical system (eg cig lighter) while the car sit for those weeks..
Had this happen to mine and when I went to start the car, DEAD!!! So I pulled the battery and charged it over night. All ok until I refitted it and the keypad would not accept my PIN code. Valet mode let me start the car for 9 goes but after that, Kaput!
This worked to get things going but if this is happening to you then the backup batteries in the keypad..
..that store you PIN are going and need to be replaced at Subaru because they will need the master codes after those tiny batts have been changed as everything is reset to zero!
There is still a work around for it by using the 0 & # keypad button, 2 person disconnect battery trick.
Resetting - The Keypad
This procedure is to be used when the user PIN code will not be accepted by the unit. This procedure requires two people to perform the reset.
--------------------------------
1. Disconnect the battery negative terminal for 5 to 6 minutes
2. Hold down 0 and # at the same time on the keypad and while holding the buttons down...
...the second person should then re-connect the battery negative lead and tighten the terminal bolt.
3. Release the 0 and # on the keypad.
4. Enter 0 four times on the keypad (ie, 0000).
--------------------------------
The keypad should now be reset and should accept the user PIN code.
Test by turning the ignition on in the normal manner and when all digits are illuminated enter your PIN code. The keypad should disarm and you should be able to start the engine.
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